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Windows 11 may soon warn people on unsupported PCs with a watermark

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You can run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but you may soon see warnings if you choose to do so.

Surface Studio
Surface Studio (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft is testing a watermark to warn people that run Windows 11 on unsupported pieces of hardware.
  • A warning message in the Settings app also appears within the latest insider builds of Windows 11.
  • The warnings appear within the latest Insider builds of Windows 11.

If you run Windows 11 on unsupported pieces of hardware, you may soon see a couple of warnings. Microsoft is testing two types of warnings in the latest Insider builds of Windows 11. In those builds, the operating system will show a message on the desktop that states "system requirements not met" for any PCs that fall short of Windows 11's needed specs. A similar message will appear within the Settings app if a PC doesn't meet the Windows 11 minimum requirements.

Twitter user Albacore spotted the warning message within the Settings app earlier this month.

Outlets, including the Verge, have since spotted the watermark on the desktop. The watermarks don't stop a PC from functioning, but they let people know that they aren't using Windows as part of an ideal setup. Microsoft uses a similar tactic to inform people that they have not activated Windows.

The minimum requirements of Windows 11 caused controversy among PC owners. The required specs are relatively high and include very specific components. The steps to upgrade an unsupported computer to Windows 11 are straightforward, but you may soon see a couple of warnings if you choose to go that route.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 930, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.